Del Mar: Mr. Commons possible for La Jolla

DEL MAR, Calif. - Mr. Commons, the winner of the Oceanside Stakes on July 30, may start in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap on Aug. 13.

Trainer John Shirreffs said earlier this week that Mr. Commons will make at least one more start at this meeting, with the $250,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 4 a long-term goal. After Mr. Commons worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 on turf at Del Mar on Sunday, the La Jolla became a possibility. Following the workout, jockey Mike Smith said the workout gave him “goosebumps.”

“I’ve got a couple of options,” Shirreffs said. “We could run in the La Jolla or wait. He looks really good on the turf.”

Owned by Ian Banwell, Mr. Commons has won 3 of 6 starts and $253,660. Mr. Commons was third in the Santa Anita Derby and eighth in the Preakness Stakes earlier this year. The Oceanside was his first stakes win.